posted 07-09-2012 05:44 AM
This photo of the Apollo 13 astronauts' visit to Malta was taken while entering Republic Street Valletta in an open top Rolls Royce. They were on a State visit to Malta between the 10th and the 13th October 1970. They were greeted by large crowds just six months after their safe return form their perilous journey to the moon.

This photo is a scan from the papers, it is the only copy I could get hold of. It was taken by a Malta Times photographer, unfortunately their archives was burned down in an arson attack in the late 80's so the originals were all destroyed.

alexbajaMember

Posts: 448From: Naxxar, MaltaRegistered: Dec 2010

posted 07-09-2012 11:48 AM
If there is anybody out there that can remember this event or has any photos I would be very happy if you can share.

YankeeClipperMember

Posts: 332From: Dublin, IrelandRegistered: Mar 2011

posted 04-23-2013 05:43 PM
Perhaps it may help jog memories if some of the Apollo XIII European Goodwill Tour 1970 timeline is filled in.

Iceland? October 1970

Switzerland? Thursday 8 October 1970

The crew were present at the 21st Congress International Astronautical Federation at Konstanz, Lake Constance as reported here aswell as Lucerne.

Greece? October 1970

MaltaSaturday 10th - Tuesday 13th October 1970

IrelandWednesday 14th - Thursday 15th October 1970

Based on this Limerick Leader Newspaper itinerary, the crew arrived at Shannon Airport on the Wednesday and stayed overnight at Dromoland Castle. On the Thursday they had a motorcade and civic reception in Limerick City, before travelling on to Bunratty Castle and Shannon Airport before flying back to Houston. The Limerick Leader had a report on the visit here.

posted 04-24-2013 03:38 AM
This thread might help recover some more of these Apollo 13 Goodwill certificates which were given to the people who took part in this tour.

YankeeClipperMember

Posts: 332From: Dublin, IrelandRegistered: Mar 2011

posted 02-21-2014 11:36 PM
After commanding Apollo 13, Jim Lovell experimented with alternative career options as can be seen here at Bunratty Castle.

domMember

Posts: 623From: Registered: Aug 2001

posted 02-22-2014 04:52 AM
From reading the Limerick newspaper it appears the Apollo 13 astronauts were being taken on a tour of small "neutral" nations by President Nixon. How ironic considering he canceled the project.

Also, mention of the astronauts having to be protected from enthusiastic young autograph hunters made me smile - some things don't change!

DamienMNew Member

Posts: 2From: Registered: Oct 2015

posted 11-26-2015 03:46 AM
I was looking through some boxes of old stuff I have had for 20+ years and came across a press information pack from a visit of the Apollo 13 astronauts to Ireland in 1970.

There are three documents relating to the itinerary for the Dublin, Cork and Limerick visits, one that seems to be background information on space exploration at the time, and a partial bio for Captain Lovell which references the Apollo 13 mission.

COR482932Member

Posts: 147From: Cork, IrelandRegistered: Mar 2012

posted 12-24-2015 05:59 PM
Thanks for all that info guys! Would have loved to have been around back them to see the crew of Apollo 13 in Ireland.

moorougeMember

Posts: 2070From: U.K.Registered: Jul 2009

posted 12-28-2015 01:22 AM
It's interesting to note that exactly a year prior to this tour, Lovell and his wife were in the UK visiting a ship launched and named by Marilyn the previous May in Boston.